The Midlands club are looking at changing their managerial structure following the recent sacking of Alex McLeish and a spell of chopping and changing

THE

SWEEPER

TIDYING UP ALL THE LOOSE STORIES IN FOOTBALL THIS WEEK

ASTON VILLA PONDER CHANGE TO MANAGERIAL STRUCTURE

Aston Villa could become the next club to adopt a director of football as they ponder a change of management structure following the dismissal of Alex McLeish this week.

Randy Lerner, the Villa owner, is understood to be heavily considering the possibility of adopting a European-style model as he prepares to name the club’s fourth manager in the last two years.

The Midlanders, who finished just two points clear of relegation this season, are undergoing a thorough recruitment process for a new head coach with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Lambert and Roberto Martinez believed to be the leading candidates.

But The Sweeper has learned that Villa are leaning towards appointing an experienced football man to identify transfer targets, develop the Academy and work in tandem with a younger manager.

Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner are believed to want more consistency rather than the continual chopping and changing that has damaged the club since Martin O’Neill left Villa Park five days before the start of the 2010-11 season.

There are no early indications of who will be considered for the role should the Villa board decide to follow the director of football route.

- Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent

KABOUL IN NO RUSH TO SIGN NEW SPURS DEAL

Tottenham are eager to tie down their best players to new long-term contracts but defender Younes Kaboul is unlikely to put pen to paper any time soon.

Goal.com revealed earlier this month that the Frenchman’s agent was in London to discuss a new deal with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, but the player is understood to have been less than impressed with the offer.

Kaboul, who was ruled out of Euro 2012 this week with a knee injury, is happy to bide his time before signing a new deal amid reported interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.